Geography: Penza is located mostly in the Volga Uplands. It borders Ryazan, Ulyanovck, Saratov and Tambov regions and the Republic of Mordovia. The Sura and Mochka rivers flow through the territory.

Urban population: 65%, Rural population: 35%

Economy: Penza is a mixed agricultural-industrial region. It is one of Russia's leading producers of wheat, rye, oats, millet, buckwheat, cereal and forage crops, vegetables, potatoes, mustard, and meat. The main industrial sectors include engineering and woodworking, but timber production has fallen off in recent years. Official website: www.penza.ru